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Taxpayers are paying for a lengthy study that concluded a proposed $15 minimum wage in Montgomery County would lead to fewer jobs, but which businesses participated in the study isn’t being made public.

Sharlene Adams’ story is not about huge barriers to medical care but about a series of hurdles that block access to help for her and many other low-income residents in Baltimore. Those hurdles add up to large health care inequities.

ByBryan Renbaum |March 31, 2016

The Maryland General Assembly passed a key piece of legislation on Thursday aimed at demolishing and rebuilding blighted Baltimore City properties, despite opposition from some Republicans over mandated spending.

Today celebrates the landing of the first English settlers to Maryland on this date in 1634. Here are two interactive graphics from Capital News Service, one a quiz about Maryland state symbols, the other an interpretative analysis of the Confederate references in the current version of the state song, “Maryland, My Maryland.”

ByRick Vatz |March 4, 2016

The debate Thursday night wasn’t filled with comity, but it was less divisive than many would have predicted, perhaps because we have become used to consistent personal shots in these debates. As for the outcome of the debate, it cannot be certain what effect Thursday’s events — the Romney speech, the McCain echo and the debate — will have on the primary season. Still, it appears that Trump’s supporters are immovable.

ByBryan Renbaum |March 1, 2016

Bills forcing employers to extend benefits to sick employees had labor and health advocates sparring with representatives of business groups at a hearing Tuesday. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, sponsored by Del. Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore City, would require businesses with more than nine employees to provide paid sick leave to those who work eight or more hours per week.

Senate Prez Miller says he’s targeting all of Gov. Hogan’s 2015 vetoes for overrides; House Dems say they’ll push for more aid to Baltimore City in coming session; Miller questions why Porter trial venue wasn’t moved from Baltimore City; as he faces criticism, Comptroller Franchot doubles down on Montgomery’s liquor sales monopoly; Michele Hotten sworn in as new Court of Appeals judge; amid controversy over gender and race with Arundel County exec, black woman appointed to ethics panel; and Baltimore City officials to get pay hikes.

An energy bill moving through Congress could strip Maryland of its rights under the Clean Water Act to require a permit for Exelon Energy Corporation to operate the Conowingo Dam, which discharges 40% of all the nutrient and sediment pollution into the Chesapeake Bay from the Susquehanna River.

MarylandReporter.com, an online news website covering state government and politics, is offering internships to cover the Maryland General Assembly 90-day session starting Jan. 13, 2016. The internships require at least one day a week in Annapolis from February through mid-April on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. Two afternoons on those days covering hearings can substitute for a full day. We are also looking for an intern interested in covering the races for Congress and U.S. Senate with an April 26 primary.